Jacqueline du Pré as 'The Cellist' (2020)

Few musicians of the twentieth century are as recognisable Jacqueline du Pré. Her dazzling and distinctive talent, said to have enraptured audiences world over, was overcome by a tragic diagnosis MS. This sense tragedy all more heightened Du Pré’s famed physicality on stage, leading critics use manner analogies in describing her playing physical (and even sexual) experience. status musical celebrity, further intensified she became one half classical music power couple, has led numerous dramatic retellings reimaginings biography, played out film TV, now stage. The most recent example this fascination with Pré is ballet Cellist, Cathy Marston’s new work for Royal Ballet, premiered February 2020 much critical acclaim. Its score, composed Philip Feeney, features cello soloist interweaved repertoire extracts that become so associated Along characters Barenboim, Pré, family, 1673 Stradivarius given starring role form Marcelino Sambé, take makes contribution media representations article examines interactions across complex web personae engrained cultural consciousness. It considers acts performance, instrument living companion, representation culture 1960s 1970s, drawing attention key narrative re-presented artistic form.